Mallards' Sharp not related, named after Packers' great

MADISON, WI (WKOW) -- The name Sterling Sharpe is familiar to many in Wisconsin, but this summer it has a different significance.

Right-handed pitcher Sterling Sharp has taken to the mound for the Madison Mallards.

Sharpe--with an "e"--was a Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame wide receiver. Sharp, the baseball player, is from Farmington Hills, Michigan and will be a sophomore at East Michigan University.

Sharp says he was not named after the Packers great and is only familiar with him because of the similar name.

Although the last names are spelled differently, Sharp says it still causes some confusion in Packer Country.

"When I first got here and met the host family, like, four of them came up and said 'were you named after the Packer?' said Sharp. "One time, I ordered Chinese food and they asked if I was related to him. I wish, though."

It's tough enough for Wisconsin to replace play makers after they graduate, but the Badgers are also no stranger to replacing because of injury - especially at linebacker. A few guys from the inside unit say they know they need to step up after losing senior ILB Jack Cichy. The defense was dealt the blow last week that Cichy would miss the entire 2017 football season because of a torn ACL. [Injuries] happen a lot in football and guys go down, and we've been just...

It's tough enough for Wisconsin to replace play makers after they graduate, but the Badgers are also no stranger to replacing because of injury - especially at linebacker. A few guys from the inside unit say they know they need to step up after losing senior ILB Jack Cichy. The defense was dealt the blow last week that Cichy would miss the entire 2017 football season because of a torn ACL. [Injuries] happen a lot in football and guys go down, and we've been just...

Wisconsin women's volleyball is set to take the court at the Field House this Friday night when they hold the Cardinal vs. White Scrimmage. But on Wednesday, the ladies and Coach Kelly Sheffield spoke at media day. The Badgers, who went 28-5 last season, are having to replace All-Americans Lauren Carlini and Hayleigh Wilson, among others. They're stacked on young talent - seven freshmen and 13 sophomores. Despite having just two seniors and two j...

Wisconsin women's volleyball is set to take the court at the Field House this Friday night when they hold the Cardinal vs. White Scrimmage. But on Wednesday, the ladies and Coach Kelly Sheffield spoke at media day. The Badgers, who went 28-5 last season, are having to replace All-Americans Lauren Carlini and Hayleigh Wilson, among others. They're stacked on young talent - seven freshmen and 13 sophomores. Despite having just two seniors and two j...

Wisconsin basketball has released its full 2017-18 schedule, which includes an early December start to Big Ten play with a visit from Ohio State. The game against the Buckeyes on Dec. 2 follows a tough trip to Virginia to face the Cavaliers in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge on Nov. 27. The season opens Nov. 10 against South Carolina State.

Wisconsin basketball has released its full 2017-18 schedule, which includes an early December start to Big Ten play with a visit from Ohio State. The game against the Buckeyes on Dec. 2 follows a tough trip to Virginia to face the Cavaliers in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge on Nov. 27. The season opens Nov. 10 against South Carolina State.

Notre Dame and Wisconsin will play at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 2020 and Soldier Field in Chicago in 2021. The schools made a joint announcement on Monday in Chicago. The two-game series marks the first meeting between the Fighting Irish and Badgers since 1964. The first game will be played at the home of the Green Bay Packers, on Oct. 3, 2020. The site will shift to the home of the Chicago Bears on Sept. 25, 2021. The schools are...More >>

Notre Dame and Wisconsin will play at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 2020 and Soldier Field in Chicago in 2021. The schools made a joint announcement on Monday in Chicago. The two-game series marks the first meeting between the Fighting Irish and Badgers since 1964. The first game will be played at the home of the Green Bay Packers, on Oct. 3, 2020. The site will shift to the home of the Chicago Bears on Sept. 25, 2021. The schools are...More >>